Day 12

We spoke to one of Jack’s doctor tonight and he explained that Jack is making progress, but reached a plateau that all preemies meet. He has aged 12 days now, and what he needs to do is start gaining weight. He’s been on a regular feeding schedule, but he is having trouble digesting the milk. This isn’t a huge issue and it shouldn’t last for too much longer.

Jack has also been on the ventilator since his birth because he can’t get enough oxygen from breathing on his own, but ventilators are not the best thing for young lungs. In fact, they can be damaging. So we are trying to wean Jack of the ventilator by reducing his settings ever so slightly. As he begins to be able to take all his food and gain the nutrients he needs to grow, his lungs will strengthen. So, the short-term obstacle to cross is increasing his eating.

We left with a real good feeling tonight as well, because when this doctor first examined Jack, he was rather grim in his prognosis due to the bleed. After seeing Jack for three days he is more positive. Jack is responding well to touching and stimulation. He has a firm grip when we place our fingers in his tiny hand. He is moving about much more as well…no more seizures. The best news is that his swelling in his head has actually begun to decrease. We pray that we don’t have to deal with hydrocephalous.

All and all, there have been many ups and downs so far and we’re sure there will be many more. But, tonight was a good night.